1951-06-30 — Page 3

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, JUNE 30,” 1951.

THEIR KINGDOM IS A HORSE

IT IS MORE than surprising how seemingly unconnected events

often bear a direct relationship to each other. For instance, if the Russians hadn't taken over Latvia some years ago, thousands of New Yorkers would not have been able to witness one of the.. most unique animal performances ever staged in the Big Town." When the leaders of the Kremlin decided they needed the tiny, Baltic country for "protective" purposes, the new rulers "national- Ized" thousands of businesses. Among those affected by: these orders was Charles Peterson, an acrobat, clown, equilibrist and small circus owner. He had 19 horses, four ponies, two mules, a' collection of performing dogs and equipment. By the time he man- aged to get out of Riga, Latvia, and make his way surreptitiously." to Berlin, he had but one horse, a makeshift cart, and a couple of dogs.

When the war ended; Peterson began to train his old dogs and some new ones to jump from the ground to the back of a horse and ride around like jockeys. Ascout for Ringling Brothers, circus recently spotted the act in Europe and brought it to:America,in', time for the New York opening.

Galloping about the sing, Charles Peterson's five jockay dogs look perfectly at ease. Mainstay in act is Ensia, the horse with which Peterson made his way out of Latvia after Russians had taken over nation and most of animals used in his circus.

CANINE CAPERS

AT THE

CIRCUS

ALLEY-OOP! With a minimum of effort after a maximum of practice, 5-year-old Cherry, à terrier, leaps from ground to the back of one of his team-mates and then on to the horse-all at top speed.

OWNER-TRAINER Charles Peterson gets one of his German shepherds year-old Latvian has 17 dogs which cost him 57 a day to feed. He, ⚫to sit atop the kneeling Ensie as his helper smilingly looks on. The 81- keeps two horses in reserve just in case Ensie is unable to perform.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT-by the Speedray camera-Cherry is almost ready for his ride around Hng. Waiting to Jesp aboard is his companion, who keepz en bye.en him to make certain he doesn't fall

AS THE APPLAUSE THUNDERS through Madison Square Garden in New York,

MOST of Peterson's dogs are affectionate, While putting them

trio of animals finish, off-performance with a fast romp mounted thres high......... through paces, assistání, Ingo, has to stand for displays like this-